On their day, an ode to mothers

Dear Annie: I wrote this in honor of all the women I know, and especially for my mother, whom I love more than anything. Could you please print it on Mother's Day? Thank you. Jennifer Lapin, Ontario, Calif.
Dear Jennifer: With pleasure. Here it is:
I have known strong women in my lifetime
Women who have shown so much courage and grace
Women who have held everything together under all the pressures of life,
And who did so beautifully,
Women who have sacrificed so much for the happiness of others
Women who have given so much, tirelessly and without complaint
Women who have raised their children all on their own
Women who have put their dreams on hold to help their children achieve theirs first
Women who have battled their own addictions and won the fight
Women who have beaten the odds when they were told there was no hope
Women who have broken the abusive cycle and lived to tell others how to do the same
Women who have fought bravely and given their lives for our freedom
Women who have taught children simply because they want a better future for them
Women who have given up a child in the hopes that they will have a better life with someone else
Women who have worked hard all their lives and never taken no for an answer
I am amazed by strong women every day
I am proud to be the daughter, daughter-in-law, niece, sister, cousin, granddaughter and friend of incredibly strong women
I hope to one day be as strong as they are
Love as strong as they do
And live up to the legacy that all strong women have left behind them
And pass it on to the next generation of strong women.
Dear Annie: I just have to get this off my chest. Though I've raised several children, I've never yet looked forward to Mother's Day. That's because I spend the two weeks before worrying about gifts and cards for my mother-in-law and my stepmother. (My own mother died many years ago.) By the time the actual day rolls around, I want my husband and children to keep it very simple.
Mothers are the ones who plan holiday celebrations, birthday celebrations, etc. How about canceling Mother's Day so mothers can finally relax and not have one more celebration to worry about? A Faithful Reader
Dear Faithful: There's no question that women do the majority of the work when it comes to planning family events, but that doesn't mean those events should be canceled to avoid the hassle.
Mother's Day can be particularly hectic if you are fortunate enough to have living mothers, stepmothers, mothers-in-law or grandmothers. You often miss the chance to have your own moment of recognition while arranging everyone else's. So . . . stop.
Next year, let your family know you are taking the day off, and any dinners, brunches, cards and gifts will be arranged by husbands, fathers, sons and daughters. If something is overlooked, so what? The world will not end if, for one day, you refuse to make the entire family's happiness your responsibility. Relax, Mom.
Dear Annie: I just had to respond to "Sick of Leftovers in Florida," whose mother insists on cooking for her and sends her home with extra food.
She should cherish the fact that her mother can still cook. I would give anything to see my 93-year-old mother cook one of her delicious meals, but unfortunately, she has dementia and would not know where to begin. I visit her every other day at the nursing home and will ask her advice on such things as cooking or sewing. She smiles her sweet smile, but says she can't remember. I am so thankful she still remembers me. Another Florida Resident
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